Not sure I’d write off the newer underlayments just yet. I tried one of those synthetic ones last year—was skeptical, but it held up through a brutal winter here in Michigan. Felt’s fine, but man, it tears so easy if you’re not careful. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw with brands or installers? Still, I get wanting more long-term proof before switching over completely.
Maybe it’s just luck of the draw with brands or installers? Still, I get wanting more long-term proof before switching over completely.
That’s kind of where I’m stuck too. I know a couple guys swear by the new synthetics, but every time I see a roof with felt that’s torn up from just a little wind or someone stepping wrong, it makes me wonder how much better these new rolls really are. Is it really about the brand, or is it more about how careful you are putting it down? I’ve seen some jobs where the synthetic looked almost too thin to trust, but then again, I’ve also seen felt basically disintegrate after a few days of rain.
I’m in northern Ohio, so not quite Michigan-winter level, but still get some nasty cold and ice. Last winter we used a synthetic underlayment on my uncle’s garage roof—cheap stuff from the local yard. It held up fine through snow and freeze-thaw cycles, but we did notice that if you’re not careful with your boots or tools, it can scuff up pretty quick. Didn’t tear as easy as felt though.
What’s weird is that some older roofers around here won’t touch synthetics at all. They say they don’t “breathe” like felt does and worry about trapping moisture underneath. But then you hear stories about felt sliding off before shingles go on if there’s a big windstorm... hard to know what to believe sometimes.
Anyone actually had issues with synthetic underlayment causing problems down the line? Or is it mostly just installer error when things go wrong? I keep hearing “it’s all in the prep,” but sometimes it feels like we’re guinea pigs for this stuff.
Also, random side note—didn’t know Tamko started in a chicken coop until now. Makes you wonder how many of these big companies got their start just winging it (pun intended). Maybe that’s why there are so many different takes on what works best...
I get what you’re saying about the older roofers being skeptical about synthetics, but I’m not totally convinced that felt is always “better” just because it’s been around longer. When we had our roof done last fall (asphalt shingles, pretty average pitch), our installer actually showed us both options side by side. The synthetic felt almost felt like a tarp—super light but surprisingly tough. We had a ton of rain right after and nothing slipped or bubbled up, which honestly shocked me.
I think sometimes the “breathing” thing gets overstated unless you’ve got a really old house with no proper ventilation. Most newer roofs seem to handle it fine as long as everything else is done right. Maybe the real issue is when people try to cut corners or rush through installation? Just my two cents...
You hit the nail on the head with the “cutting corners” bit. I’ve seen plenty of jobs where folks blame the material, but really it’s the rushed install that causes issues—synthetic or felt, doesn’t matter. Synthetics have come a long way since the glorified tarp days, and I agree, unless you’re dealing with a 1920s attic with zero airflow, the breathability debate gets blown out of proportion. Good ventilation and a careful install are what really keep things dry... not just tradition.
Good ventilation and a careful install are what really keep things dry... not just tradition.
That lines up with what I’ve seen. When we bought our place, the inspector pointed out a few shortcuts from the last roof job—nails too high, underlayment bunched up in spots. We had to redo a section, and honestly, just taking the time to lay everything flat and check overlaps made a huge difference. I get why folks debate materials, but if the basics aren’t right, it won’t matter much.